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The Board of Trustees (BoT) met June 19 for its regular monthly meeting. Here are some highlights of the 85-minute gathering:
Aces All Around. The BoT presented a resolution to the Northville Varsity Girls Tennis Team for winning the 2025 Division 1 State Championship. Despite being underdogs, the team dug deep and triumphed. The championship marks the first state championship title since 2018, which is a testament to the program's growth, perseverance and work ethic.
Love from Livonia. Livonia City Council President Brandon McCullough, who is the Township’s Facilities Manager, offered a formal congratulations from Livonia on the opening of the Essential Services Complex on Seven Mile Road at Traditions Drive. The City Council commended Northville Township for the enhanced level of services the facility offers its residents and its commitment to public safety, emergency responsiveness and the wellbeing of our residents.
Audit Accolades. Representatives from Plante Moran presented a positive recap of the 2024 annual financial audit and a single audit of federal grant awards, both receiving clean audit reports. The single audit included two recommendations to enhance review procedures on grant paperwork.
Farmers Market Cleanup Costs. The BoT approved a third change order to cover Cunningham-Limp’s revised scope to clean-up the Northville Farmers Market site. The increase covers funds for additional paving, barriers and erosion control that were necessary before the May 1 opening. The City of Northville and the Township share equally in this $13,168 increase, costing $6,584. In total for the cleanup, both communities paid $64,234 each. Treasurer Jason Rhines voted no on the change order, with the remainder of the BoT voting yes.
Beck Road DPW Building to House Northville Parks & Recreation Administrative Offices. Northville Township transferred ownership of the Department of Public Works Building on Beck Road, paid for by the Water & Sewer Enterprise Fund, to the Township’s general operations. This shift allows Northville Parks & Recreation administration staff to move in the space vacated by the DPW, which has a new headquarters at the Essential Services Complex. It also allows Parks & Recreation to use their current offices at Hillside Middle School for recreation space, expanding their outreach. This move is expected by the end of the year after some maintenance issues and renovations are rectified on the DPW building. Treasurer Jason Rhines voted no on the transfer, with the remainder of the BoT voting yes.
Police to Consolidate Software. The Police Department will adopt the PowerDMS by NEOGOV software suite. It will replace four separate software programs, none of which are geared toward public safety. The shift allows for greater efficiency in personnel scheduling, background investigations, internal affairs and training modules. The year-one cost is $20,006.25 and the annual renew cost for year two is $31,972.50.
Replacing Body-Worn and In-Car Cameras. After multiple breakdowns and an expiring warranty, the Police Department received approval to replace its 5-year-old cameras. The package includes 42 body-worn cameras, 21 in-car cameras, two servers for redaction and cloud storage. This also replaces the Fire Department’s apparatus in-car cameras. The Motorola Solutions contract is not to exceed $465,707 over five years.
Analysis of Sewer Lift Station Ordered. Too much fat, oil, grease and other solids going down drains are causing maintenance problems for the Haggerty Road Sanitary Sewer Lift Station at Eight Mile Road near Meijer. The Department of Public Works is budgeting for a possible $1 million fix to this eventually, but first it has asked OHM Advisors to evaluate the lift station and the sanitary sewer network nearby. The analysis is priced at $39,000.
Sanitary Sewer Preventative Maintenance. With a contract involving a different company to expire in July, Northville Township has lined up SAK Sanitary Sewer Services to inspect and rehab our aging sanitary sewer lining as budgeted for in the capital improvement plan. The contract is through a cooperative purchasing arrangement. It is for three years with the option to extend it two years.
Township-Owned Pathway Repairs to Begin. Civil Engineer Intern Kael Wisler walked 40+ miles of asphalt pathways throughout the Township last summer to identify hazards. Those hazards on Township-owned land will be fixed this year by the Township’s concrete and asphalt service provider. The Board authorized $50,000 in a blanket order with JW Restoration Concepts Inc. to make the community safer.
Clerk’s Office to Get New Rotomat Filing System. Your secure voter ID and registration needs a new home as the Clerk’s Office Rotomat, a 20-year-old specialized filing system that provides vertical storage, keeps breaking down with difficult-to-get parts. The BoT approved $56,375 to Remco Storage Systems for the purchase.
Concrete Repairs on Tap. Several sections of sidewalk and parking lot around Township Hall and Fire Station 1 need to be replaced and are in the capital improvement plan. This includes the entry driveway into Township Hall from Six Mile. The Facilities Maintenance division requested a waiver of the formal bidding process to retain Greenlawn Landscaping for $69,980. This longtime service provider to Northville Township can begin quickly. Treasurer Jason Rhines voted no on the request, with the remainder of the BoT voting yes.
Early Voting Dates. They are July 26-Aug. 3 for the Northville Public Schools Special Election. The actual election date is Aug. 5. This election will include precincts 1-6 and 8-12.
Moment of Silence. Supervisor Mark J. Abbo asked for a moment of silence to honor the mother-in-law of Trustee Chris Roosen. Janet Van Elslander died June 10. Heartfelt condolences to the entire family.
Water Rates Remain Unchanged for Eight Straight Years. The BoT’s investment in a second water tower has paid dividends. The Township has postponed an anticipated 3% water rate increase previously planned several years ago for July 2025. Overall water conservation and renegotiated contracts has softened the rate effects on the Township’s system, leading to the savings.
Northville Township Board of Trustee meetings are held the third Thursday of every month in Township Hall’s Assembly Room at 7 pm, unless noted otherwise. Please join us.
To review the meeting materials, visit the website. To attend a livestream of it, visit here.
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